Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 08/15 Aktuelles Aus Israelischen Tageszeitungen

Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 08/15 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen

01.- 15. April

Die Themen dieser Ausgabe

1. Rahmenabkommen über iranisches Atomprogramm ...... 1 2. Tragödie von Yarmouk ...... 3 3. Koalitionsverhandlungen und Perspektiven für eine Einheitsregierung ...... 4 4. Medienquerschnitt ...... 6

1. Rahmenabkommen über iranisches ously damage Iran's nuclear facilities. The alterna- Atomprogramm tive is living (or dying) with a nuclear weapons- Das Anfang April erreichte Rahmenabkommen der capable fanatical, tyrannical, aggressive regime fünf UN-Vetomächte und Deutschlands mit der irani- much more dangerous for the rest of the world than schen Regierung stieß in Jerusalem auf scharfe North Korea will ever be. Too bad the meetings Kritik. Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu warnte weren't held in the holy city of Qom. In that case the in einem Telefonat mit US-Präsident Barack Obama comparison with the betrayal of Czechoslovakia by vor einer existentiellen Gefahr für Israel. Die Eck- the British and French in 1938 would have been punkte, die bis zum Sommer in einen Vertrag mün- even more perfect. That famous meeting, leading to den sollen, halten u.a. fest, dass Iran in den kom- an "historic" agreement, was of course, held in Mu- menden zehn Jahren in etwa zwei Drittel der Zentri- nich, birthplace of the Nazi Party. fugen zur Urananreicherungen still legt. Die Atoman- Norman Bailey, GLO, 06.04.15 lagen sollen außerdem für Kontrollen der Internatio- nalen Atomenergiebehörde (IAEA) zugängig sein. In Israel will benefit from an Iran nuclear deal Israel bleibt man jedoch weiterhin besorgt. (…) we should take a breath and try to understand what each side is trying to achieve (…) The real goal The "historic" agreement that ignores history of the world powers is to keep Iran in this situation, (…) In 1994 President Clinton made a television or return it to a situation in which it cannot produce address from the White House remarkably similar in enough fissile material for the core of a nuclear wording to that of Mr. Obama following the Lau- weapon for more than 10 years. No fissile material, sanne meetings. (…) It celebrated an "agreement" no bomb. (…) The West is hoping that within the reached with North Korea to end that country's nu- next 10-15 years, the ayatollahs will fall or be over- clear weapons program. Subsequently North Korea thrown, or become more open and less militant. (…) violated every aspect of that agreement with impuni- Iran is primarily interested in the removal of sanc- ty, and is now a nuclear power. The same will hap- tions (…) and (…) to protect the honor and prestige pen again with Iran unless (1) sanctions are main- of the regime. (…) Israel's aim is to completely pre- tained and strengthened leading to regime change vent – in the present and in the future - the possibil- in Iran or (2) military force is used to destroy or seri- ity of Iran developing and producing nuclear weap-

1 ons (…) by preventing Iran from acquiring fissile at a single site, the Natanz facility, making inspec- material (…). one must consider the prospect that tions easier. The level of enrichment will be kept to something will go wrong, leading to an escalation in 3.67 percent, vastly below weapons-grade. And the the political conflict and the ongoing development of stockpile of low-grade uranium would be capped at Iran's nuclear program. (…) For now, the military 300 kilograms for 15 years. (…) The agreement sets option does not seem to be on the table (…). If an up an aggressive inspection regime. (…) Yet, (…) agreement is reached within the next three months, there are also quite worrisome aspects to the Israel would benefit as Iran be out of the nuclear framework agreement (…). Iran’s nuclear infrastruc- bomb business for at least ten years – which could ture will remain intact, though some of it may be well be the same result as attacking Iran's nuclear mothballed for 10 years. (…) Another problem is that facilities. It is always better to achieve through di- Iran will be allowed to engage in “limited research plomacy what could also be achieved with military and development with its advanced centrifuges” at measures. Natanz (…). Not only is no mention made of Iran’s Ron Ben-Yishai, JED, 01.04.15 development of long-range missiles that could only be used to carry nuclear warheads, the key parame- The unfolding farce of Obama’s deal with Iran ters are silent on Iran’s support for terrorism, not just (…) President Barack Obama and his indefatigable in the Middle East but in far-flung locations such as secretary of state promised that they (…) would not Buenos Aires and Burgas. Indeed, while talks pro- sign a bad deal with Iran on its nuclear weapons gressed between Iran and the P5+1 (the US, Britain, program. (...) But the deal is far worse than even our France, China and Russia plus Germany), Reza relentlessly lowered expectations had given us rea- Naqdi, the commander of the Basij militia of the son to anticipate. The Arak heavy water plant is not Revolutionary Guards, declared that “erasing Israel to be dismantled. (…) The Fordo enrichment facility, from the map” is “nonnegotiable.” (…) The skeptics built secretly into a mountain, is not to be shuttered. have every reason to remain skeptical. (…) Thousands of centrifuges are to be allowed to Editorial, JPO, 06.04.15 keep on spinning. Thousands more will remain intact. For heaven’s sake, why? Because this was the best There is no 'better deal' with Iran deal we could get. (…) If it were not so grave it (…) The deal is basically dangerous in nature, and would be farcical to witness the disingenuous at- needs to be rejected outright. (…) Even in the ab- tempts by the Obama administration to depict the sence of a signed full agreement, the U.S. and its unfolding disaster as an achievement worthy of ad- negotiating partners already have awarded legitima- miration — the best deal; historic; a guarantee, in cy to Iran’s nuclear threshold status. (…) Iran is get- the glib, empty formulation of presidential adviser ting more or less what it wanted: the capability to Ben Rhodes, that Iran will never get the bomb. (…) produce enriched uranium and to research weapon It gets worse. The Iranians’ latest contention is that design; agreement to keep its missile program intact; the deal gives them the right to start injecting gas and no linkages to Iranian behavior in the region. into their most sophisticated centrifuges — the IR-8s The deal is a prelude to nuclear breakout and Irani- — which they say can enrich uranium 20 times fast- an regional hegemony. (…) Unfortunately, no better er than their current IR-1s. And therefore, that smil- deal is in the offing. (…) Obama is right that the only ing, avuncular Foreign Minister Zarif and his nuclear alternative to this deal is an Iranian nuclear fait ac- expert colleague Ali Akbar Salehi told Iranian MPs compli or the bombing of the Iranian nuclear infra- on Tuesday, Iran will begin working with the IR-8s on structure. Obama’s penchant for engagement, his the first day that the deal goes into effect. (…) Need- reluctance to use force, and his liberal prism on in- less to say, that makes a mockery of the entire deal. ternational relations (…) has led to this miserable (...) result. Netanyahu is wrong in demanding a better David Horovitz, TOI, 08.04.15 deal because no such deal exists. Yet denying its ratification by the U.S. Congress could create better The Iran deal international circumstances for an Israeli military (…) Iran will be allowed to keep in operation just strike. (…) It is more evident than ever that only mili- 5,060 centrifuges, fewer than leaked estimates of tary action can stop a determined state such as the 6,000 or 7,000 or 12,000. And only Iran’s most basic Islamic Republic of Iran from building a nuclear model – the IR-1 centrifuges – will be in operation. bomb. (…) (…) Also, all enrichment activity will be concentrated Efraim Inbar, IHY, 09.04.15 2 Deal makes Iran stronger than ever after the establishment of Israel in 1948, and many (…) The memorandum of understanding shows that were refugees at least twice before settling there. the Iranians got their way on most of the issues. (…) (…) They remained Palestinian in their identity, and The importance of the results of the talks is that Iran part of the larger family of displaced Palestinians (…) will be recognized as a country on the brink of nu- most of the Palestinians in Syria did not take sides; clear capability. (…) Iran demanded that the deal be nonetheless the Assad regime decided that they limited to a few years, after which the limitations on were the enemy. (…) Now the Yarmouk camp has its nuclear program would be removed and it would been brutally attacked by Islamic State (IS), who are be allowed to do what it wants. (…) Iran has come fighting against Assad and his Iranian-backed Hez- out of the deal in a new position. The sanctions bollah allies. The Palestinians are being bombed against it will be removed and governments and and killed by both sides (…). There are daily reports private companies will rush to do business with it. Its of massacres and rapes inside of Yarmouk. This is a regional status will be bolstered when its involve- humanitarian crisis that almost no one in the world ment in neighboring countries -- Iraq, Syria, Leba- cares about. (…) This is (…) is the time to save hu- non, Yemen, and the Gaza Strip -- is already un- man lives. (…) It is the humane gesture that we precedented. Iran becoming a state on the verge of Jews should understand the need for, recalling with nuclear capability could prompt other countries to empathy when we had no place to run to and no follow suit. (…) Will Iran take advantage of the loop- place to call home. Israel should announce immedi- holes in the deal to develop nuclear weapons? Its ately its willingness to have those 18,000 remaining ultimate interest in acquiring nuclear weapons has residents of Yarmouk come to the West Bank. (…) not diminished, and we can assume that its attempts The United Nations should provide safe passage for to do so will continue despite the agreement. The these people. The international community should likely possibility is that Iran will not rush to reach a assist with funds and resources – especially from nuclear bomb in the next few years so as not to de- the Arab world – to enable these poor suffering peo- stroy what it gained in the deal and be punished ple to have a new beginning in their homeland. (…) severely. But when the restrictions are lifted about a This gesture on Israel’s part would be so valued and decade from now, Iran could attempt to achieve nu- appreciated regionally and internationally. There is clear weapons capability -- possibly at a new, secret so much to gain from it in trying to build a new rela- facility -- hoping to present the world with a fait ac- tionship with the Palestinian people. It could be a compli. whole re-start of the launching of a new process Dr. Ephraim Kam , IHY, 05.04.15 looking toward more peaceful relations between Israel and the Palestinians. Once settled into their “old-new” homeland, the rescuing of these people 2. Tragödie von Yarmouk would create a new reality for them settling home Die Lebensumstände in dem palästinensischen with their brothers and sisters in Palestine. As the Flüchtlingslager Yarmouk, südlich von Damaskus, Talmud states, whoever preserves a single soul, it is nehmen so dramatische Formen an, dass UN- as though he had preserved a whole world. Generalsekretär Ban Ki Moon den Vergleich zu ei- Gershon Baskin, JPO, 08.04.15 nem „Todeslager“ zog. Die rund 18.000 noch dort lebenden Menschen geraten im syrischen Bürger- Why doesn't Israel help Palestinians in Yar- krieg zwischen die Fronten der Rebellen und der mouk? Regierungssoldaten, obschon die Palästinensische From afar, it’s hard to recognize them. They are Befreiungsorganisation (PLO) erklärte, keinen Anteil swaying human shadows, staring out into space, an den Kämpfen zu haben. Internationale Hilfsorga- faces gaunt and their bones protruding from the skin nisationen fordern ein Ende der Kämpfe und Zugang that’s meant to cover them. But if you look at them für humanitäre Hilfe. Den Palästinensern, die das closely, you’ll see who they are: They are the chil- Lager verlassen wollen, sollte freies Geleit gewährt dren and grandchildren of those who were expelled werden. in 1948 (…). You can claim that you are not involved (…) no moral question is being raised regarding Encountering peace: We have the chance to do Israel’s role in creating the killing fields there. (…) the right thing in Yarmouk History, as we know, can’t be changed, but examin- (…) The residents of the refugee camps in Syrian ing historical events is crucial to changing how we come mostly from the Galilee, and became refugees relate to the past. And if we succeed in creating hy- 3 pothetical options for events of the past, perhaps we can change the future. Given the horrific tragedy of When Muslims murder Palestinians the Yarmouk refugee camp, it is time for Israel to While the Israeli Defense Force were storming into think differently about the Palestinian people, some Gaza the streets of Europe were overrun with de- of which is part and parcel of this country and its monstrators. There were virtual riots outside of the future. (…) Instead of running to the end of the world Israeli embassy in London, tens of thousands of to show the beautiful face of Israel, extend a hand to people marched there in support of Palestinians as your neighbor. Learn something from Jordan, a they did in Paris, Madrid and elsewhere. With every country that has no moral or political obligation to march came cries that the IDF were perpetrating a Syria yet has already absorbed more than a million massacre in Gaza. The pictures of dead Palestinian refugees from there. For once in your life, do some- children filled Facebook feeds. There was no mas- thing that you can relate proudly to your grandchil- sacre of Palestinians at the hands of the IDF last dren. Let them say with pride that in Yarmouk, the Summer. But in Syria there is. Right now as you process of reconciliation with our cousins began. read this. (…) There are no demonstrations at all. Oudeh Basharat, HAA, 13.04.15 There are no rallies. There are no screams of massacre. There are no demands on governments to Be a 'good Arab,' dear Oudeh: Let us ignore take action. There is simply a sad, deafening silence. Yarmouk It’s not as if people don’t know what’s happening in (…) My colleague Oudeh Basharat, (…) why don’t the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Yar- you learn from us? You should know already that in mouk. (…) Yet there is no action. (…) Perhaps the the Jewish country of refugees there’s a hierarchy. silence regarding Palestinians in Syria and else- Jewish refugees are above Arab refugees. Among where in the Middle East comes from a belief that it the Jewish refugees, European refugees are prefer- is only worth demonstrating when a Palestinian is able to refugees from Arab countries, the “Miz- killed by an Israeli. (…) rahim.” In the ranking of the “Mizrahi” refugees Marc Goldberg, TOI, 08.04.15 there’s a big difference between refugees from Iraq and refugees from Morocco. (…) At the bottom of The chaos in Yarmouk the list, which should be called the waiting list, are (…) Those who did manage to escape Yarmouk the immigrants from Ethiopia. That’s how it is in the sought refuge in other areas of Syria and in neigh- kingdom of refugees. And suddenly you are threat- boring countries. But precisely now, when the Pales- ening to destroy this hierarchy. Suddenly the Yar- tinians would expect Arab solidarity, they have found mouk refugees are becoming the refugee aristocra- none. In Jordan and Lebanon, they have been de- cy. (…) Your problem, Oudeh, is that of all the refu- nied entry, which has resulted in a flourishing smug- gees, only your people want to return to the home- gling industry. (…) Moreover, if the Palestinians ex- land. Only your people walk around with big keys to pected any kind of help from the international com- your homes, dreaming about distant days when munity, here too, they have been met with closed Jews and Arabs lived together in harmony. It’s be- doors. Western incompetence, especially America's, cause of you that there is no peace. Because in our in handling the Syrian crisis affected them as well. If imagination we see “refugees coming en masse in the bloody conflict in Syria, which has already buses.” We want you to promise to forget about this claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people and dream, to erase the Nakba from your lexicon, for produced millions of refugees, has not spurred the your history to begin in 1949, and most importantly, world to find a solution yet, then why would the for your people to internalize that it’s not we who are world be interested in the plight of Palestinian refu- to blame for your problems. (…) there’s no room for gees in Yarmouk? two victims in the country of the refugees. It’s you or Dr. Yehuda Balanga, IHY, 07.04.15 us. So please, Oudeh. As a Christian Palestinian refugee, a minority within a minority within a minority, don’t teach us what compassion is and don’t look 3. Koalitionsverhandlungen und Perspektiven for it in our byways. (…) The refugees in Yarmouk für eine Einheitsregierung will be taken care of by the United Nations. After all, Mühsamer als anfangs zu erwarten gestalten sich it’s an international problem. Not Israeli, not Zionist die Koalitionsverhandlungen für den Wahlsieger and certainly not Jewish. (…) Netanyahu. 67 der insgesamt 120 Abgeordneten Zvi Bar´el, HAA, 15.04.15 hatten bei den Beratungen mit Staatspräsident Reu- 4 ven Rivlin den Chef des Likud für die Mission vorge- right-wing folly from outside the coalition, the ap- schlagen, eine Regierung zu bilden. Nichtzuletzt die pearance of center-left leaders in political selfies übersteigerten Ansprüche der kleineren Parteien with right-wing extremists would serve as a fig leaf lassen Netanyahu nun offenbar eine große Koalition for the right. Such a coalition would leave Israelis mit dem Zionistischen Lager unter der Führung von without an attractive alternative to Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog in Erwägung ziehen. Offiziell gibt es his gang. It would keep Zionist Union from playing noch keinen Austausch zwischen den beiden Partei- its proper opposition role in a democratic society - chefs. offering a hopeful vision of change. (…) Herzog, Livni and their colleagues must take a break while Zionist Union must resist temptation of joining Netanyahu dithers and blathers. They must use the Netanyahu's government time to organize their party and attack right wing (…) One gets the impression that Netanyahu would projects creatively and relentlessly until Netanyahu's prefer a stable government based on Zionist Union, right-wing coalition collapses. And collapse it will. the ultra-Orthodox and Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party David Ricci, HAA, 14.04.15 to entanglements with dubious parties like that of Avigdor Lieberman, or extremist parties that threat- If asked to, Herzog must join coalition en democracy, like Habayit Hayehudi. (…) Zionist (…) Those who want Netanyahu and his next gov- Union must not betray the trust of its voters and of ernment to "rack their brains" in order to teach his the peace-and-democracy camp. Blocking legisla- supporters a lesson are thinking first of all about tion like the nation-state bill or the bill that would themselves: They may care about the state, but the restrict foreign funding for nonprofit organizations, party comes first. It's what we call "to hell with the important as that is, is not a sufficient reason for world" or "told you so" or "it's your problem." The those meant to lead Israel’s opposition to declare thing is that it's everyone's problem. Hamas and the moral bankruptcy. If Zionist Union joins the Netan- Islamic State, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda, as well as yahu government, it will strengthen the regime of the the Arab armies, don't inquire about a person's polit- man who, on the eve of last month’s election, prom- ical affiliation before shooting or launching rockets ised that a Palestinian state would never be estab- and missiles. (…) The person who developed a lished on his watch, and who on Election Day made good and clear understanding of the political and a shockingly racist remark against 20 percent of security situation at the time was Menachem Begin. Israel’s citizens. (…) Zionist Union, with the 24 seats On the eve of the Six-Day War, when we appeared it received from Israelis wanting a change, must not to be facing a second Holocaust, he overcame his render a clearly right-wing regime kosher, or try to and his party's political rivalries and suggested – beautify its ugly face to the international community. unbelievably – that his hater and great political rival, It must not encourage, by its participation, the gallop David Ben-Gurion, would be appointed head of an toward the end of the democratic Zionist dream that emergency government. With the lack of such an has resulted solely from extreme right-wing govern- option, he agreed to join the left-wing government ments and the settlements. (…) and became part of the great victory. The public Editorial, HAA, 14.04.15 didn't forget this national gesture of his. (…) I say this with a lot of grief. We would have liked things to Zionist Union, don't join Netanyahu be different, but this is what we got. And it's always It's clear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants important to know and to remember that the state is center-left Zionist Union to join his next government. more important than the party and than being in But (…) it would be bad for the center-left party. It power. Always. would demoralize many of that party’s 786,000 vot- Eitan Haber, JED, 12.04.15 ers who rejected a right-wing worldview in the March 17 election. (…) Zionist Union cannot improve Is- Which way will Netanyahu jump? rael's relations with the United States by joining (…) It is in Netanyahu's DNA, before Iran and before Netanyahu's coalition. There is nothing Zionist Un- anything else, to kill his opponent. To lure him into ion can do from within the coalition to change its the government and ensnare him in a honey trap, foreign policy, because its right-wing disciples en- which is exactly what he did to Yair Lapid. His sec- dorse it fervently, blindly and implacably. (…) Fur- ond ambition is to lead by consensus, to present the thermore, if Zionist Union joins Netanyahu, this world with a sane and moderate face. But this time it would cripple Israeli democracy. Instead of exposing is different: the prime minister explicitly pledged be- 5 fore the elections that he would not establish a unity That's why she was beaten by the inexperienced government with Herzog and Livni. (…) The prime Obama. In the television debate between them, she minister has been able to create an environment of was asked by the moderator why people appreciate impotence. He uses people as pawns rather than as her, but find it difficult to like her. Historically, this is a allies he consults with. He really has no confidence trait which could harm a presidential hopeful. People in people, real confidantes, people he trusts and vote not only for a head of state for the White whose intentions he believes. (…) So what are the House, but also for a friend for their family. (…) After chances of a unity government? Probably about 50- George W. Bush's emotional presidency, which led 50. And if Netanyahu does pick up the phone and to an unnecessary war, and Obama's messianic Herzog does answer in the affirmative, there is a presidency, which damaged America's standing in chance that the vast majority of Zionist Union would the world, it may be the ice lady's time. A level- be ready to join the coalition. headed president, acting with unemotional coolness Sima Kadmon, JED, 10.04.15 and without thunder and lightning. Baruch Leshem, JED, 14.04.15

4. Medienquerschnitt Fiktive Geiselnahme

Präsidentschaftskandidatur von Hillary Clinton Niv Asraf, apologize. To everyone (…) The day before Passover two buddies drive into Hillary Clinton's bravery is no small thing the West Bank on an impulse to pray at the Cave of (…) Many women play the good wife and pay the full the Patriarchs in Hebron — the single-most volatile price just so it will buy his victory, and not hers. Be- city in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They get a flat cause even if you are the most privileged, the most tire. Niv trots into the Palestinian town of Beit Anun, career-oriented, you walk that path behind him. That a Hamas stronghold, and doesn’t return. (…) Within path has never ended with the woman being elected hours, roads were closed through the southern West president. For all those reasons, we women need to Bank, thousands of soldiers (…) were searching hope very much that there is no one who can stop house-to-house through Arab villages (…). All told, Hillary Clinton. Because you cannot be what you more than $1 million spent scouring the territory for cannot see. And until now we could not see a wom- Niv, who was found hiding in a valley near Kiryat an in the role of leader of the free world. Until now, Arba. (…) Apologize. (…) Apologize to every soldier we haven’t even seen a candidate for that. Even the and police officer who had to go search for you in- candidacy is a glass ceiling that must be cracked. stead of doing his or her other work. (…) Apologize And Hillary Clinton is not just any woman who will be to the residents of Beit Anun, who had the unex- a U.S. presidential candidate, but the first woman pected pleasure of a home visit from the entire Is- who brought the expression “women’s rights are raeli Defense Forces while Moshe Nussbaum and human rights” onto the global stage. (…) military reporter Roni Daniel repeatedly told Israelis Merav Michaeli, HAA, 15.04.15 how “hostile” the residents of this particular village are. Well, just in case the folks in Beit Anun weren’t Is it the ice lady's turn to lead America? hostile before — guess how they feel now. Apolo- (…) Clinton will be nearly 70 years old if she starts gize deeply to the families of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad serving as president in early 2017. Only once in Shaer and Eyal Yifrah, who will never forget the American history was a president elected at this age moment they heard their sons were kidnapped and – Ronald Reagan in 1980. The problems from his never fully recover from the moment they learned of second term, in which memory lapses were re- their deaths, and who certainly didn’t need the extra vealed, is not an encouraging sign. Another hurdle reminder as they headed into their first Pesach se- Clinton will have to overcome is the fact that a wom- der without their beloved children. And then apolo- an has never been elected president. (…) The rela- gize deeply again to the family of Mohammad Abu tionship between Obama and Prime Minister Ben- Khdair, burned alive by Jewish fanatics in the wake jamin Netanyahu has been taking place, for six of those kidnappings, who also had to ponder years now, in the freezer. Will Clinton change direc- whether other Jews might be happy for an excuse to tion if she is elected president? (…) Clinton doesn’t be fanatical. (…) have sweeping charisma, one which bursts out of Miriam Herschlag, TOI, 05.04.15 the television screen and sweeps away the voters. 6 The kidnapping that wasn’t corruption campaign with Minister Yossi Sarid ended (…) Looking back on Thursday night’s pointless up being super corrupt in the Holyland affair and the manhunt, it occurred to me that it’s actually strange cash-envelopes scandal. As a prime minister who this doesn’t happen more often. Any Israeli, includ- vowed to pursue peace, someone who according to ing Asraf and Nagauker (arguably not the greatest foreign media reports ordered the destruction of minds of their generation), would know that reporting Syria’s nuclear reactor, someone who wanted to and a kidnapping would almost surely result in a major was capable of reaching an agreement with the Pal- search operation. Any prankster must know that for estinians, he proved that the sin of hubris is destruc- the most minimal investment – a simple phone call – tive in politics. It’s a pity such a talented politician they can put the entire country on a razor’s edge stumbled. (…) within minutes. The fact that such hoaxes are all but Yoel Marcus, HAA, 03.04.15 unheard of perhaps shows that even for those with an antisocial bent, faking a kidnapping and playing Zur geplanten Streichung der Mehrwertsteuer on the country’s greatest fears is simply a bridge too bei Grundnahrungsmitteln far. Asraf and Nagauker must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, but no one should hold their Netanyahu must buck the populist trend and breath expecting to see them do time, at least not a keep VAT where it is serious, deterrent prison sentence. (…) They will be If this nonsense had come from Arye Dery, the lead- fined, placed on probation, and will live on in the er of ultra-Orthodox party Shas, we could have dealt Israeli collective psyche as morons of historic pro- with it. But when the honorable prime minister sup- portions. Eventually they may meet their future part- ports zero value-added tax on basic goods, that’s a ners and marry, possibly have children, and then bad sign. It’s a sign that populism is winning. (…) If probably realize the real fear that kidnappings have you really want to improve conditions for the bottom for the Israeli public. In the meantime, if this hap- one-third, there’s no reason to do away with the VAT pens again, one can hope and probably expect the that the top two-thirds pays (…). What’s the point in security services to respond in the same way. The subsidizing cheese and milk for tycoon Shari Arison wasted resources and hours burned (…) should not when the goal is to help Mrs. Levy in Sderot? Also, deter police and the security services from acting zero VAT would take a great deal of money out of the way they did (…). the government’s coffers, and since neither Moshe Ben Hartman, JPO,08.04.15 Kahlon nor the prime minister are willing to raise taxes, the only solution is to cut back on education Olmert erneut schuldig gesprochen and welfare — and harm the lower classes. Those who want to help the lower classes need to do it Ehud Olmert’s sad contribution to our festival of directly by broadening negative-income-tax efforts freedom and benefits for the elderly. They should increase David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Sharett, Golda Meir, the education budget in the country’s outskirts and Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir (…) kept their invest in public transportation and professional train- offices in simple shacks, and they refused to accept ing. (…) VAT applied identically to every product and generous offers from American millionaires. (…) But service is the most effective tax there is. It’s easy to rubbing shoulders with American or European Jew- collect, doesn’t require much bureaucracy, doesn’t ish millionaires did appeal to other politicians and make people less willing to work and doesn’t cause military men. (…) Rabin could whip out a thick wad resources to be allocated incorrectly. (…) The buck of bills to pay for a meal at a fancy restaurant, while stops with Netanyahu. After all, he was against zero Benjamin Netanyahu used to smoke expensive Cu- VAT on apartments for young couples, so why is he ban cigars he received from Israeli film producer now supporting an idea that’s just as bad? Is there Arnon Milchan. Olmert, the darling of American mil- really no limit to populism? lionaires, loved the good life. He had no problem Nehemia Shtrasler, HAA, 03.04.15 flying in their private jets to watch a basketball game on the West Coast, or to ensure a reduced rate at a Kein öffentlicher Verkehr am Wochenende fancy hotel. He stayed in spacious suites and rode in limousines. He also arranged for a New York ex- Roads I Didn’t Take (by bus on Shabbat) hibition for his wife’s paintings. I don’t have to note (…) Earlier this holiday a Facebook protest encour- that all were sold. The man who launched an anti- aged users to complain on the page of the transpor- 7 tation minister Israel Katz and express their frustra- tion at the fact there is no public transportation in Israel on Saturdays and holiday and in particular on the long second holiday this year. Omri Hazut a public transportation user reminded the minister that “The seventh day of Passover is on Thursday, and the last night is Friday. From Thursday afternoon until Saturday night, there will be no public transportation!” The Minister responded with the following outrageous argument: “Tell (Isaac) Buji Herzog to commit not to sit in a government that won’t change the status quo. The display of hypocrisy by you and your friends on the left … was proven in the last elections and got the appropriate response at the polls.” (…) As we well know Buji was not elected to be our prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was and it is the government’s responsibility to take care of the people who depend on public transportation. In Haifa, people who use public transportation on Shabbat could do so because the “left” (…) always cared about the welfare of the residents and made sure that on their day of rest they could enjoy the city and get around (…). It’s a shame that the “right” has no interest in doing the same. My guess is that Katz’s own people never ride the bus. Orna Raz, TOI, 07.04.14

HAA = Haaretz JED = JediothAhronoth / Ynetnews JPO = Jerusalem Post IHY = Israel HaYom TOI = Times of Israel GLO = Globes

Veröffentlicht im: April 2015 Verantwortlich: Dr. Werner Puschra, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel

Redaktion: Susanne Knaul Judith Stelmach

Homepage: www.fes.org.il Email: [email protected]